Guy in the Glass

[MikeK]

Groh’s final words (updated with player comment)
Michael Phillips
Nov 28, 2009

After losing to Virginia Tech, U.Va. coach Al Groh got up to address his team, unfolded a sheet of copier paper, and read a poem, “Guy in the glass,“ by Dale Wimbrow…..

When you get what you want in your struggle for self,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.
For it isn’t your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgement upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.

He’s the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear up to the end,
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and “chisel” a plum,
And think you’re a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you’ve cheated the guy in the glass.

Then Groh added his own stanza:

When I visited the guy in the glass,
I saw that he’s a guy of commitment, of integrity, of dependability, and accountability.
He is loyal, his spirit is indomitable, and he’s caring and loving.
I’m sure I will always call the guy in the glass a friend.

With that, he strode out of the locker room.

[Bill Glasheen]

Nine years as coach. Two times ACC coach of the year. And this is his last year.

It is time.

If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevance even less.

- General Eric Shinseki


- Bill